St Bede

Marshall Allen LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Through the faithful giving of its parishioners, St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church began a $7.5 renovation and construction project Friday. The first phase of the project includes the construction of a 10,000-square-foot Parish Administration Center adjacent to the church building. The center will house the church's administrative and pastoral staff. Phase 1 also includes a new education center for St. Bede school and the Religious Education program.

Marshall Allen The City Council has unanimously upheld an appeal by a group from St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church following an utterly polite public hearing at City Hall. The group appealed a condition placed on the Planning Commission's approval of a project to refurbish the parish and education center on the St. Bede campus. Final approval of the project was given Jan. 8, and amended May 16. At the beginning of his presentation, Design Commission Chairman Jay Johnson said how much the commission has enjoyed working with the committee from St. Bede's.

The Holy Redeemer "B" Crusaders football team beat St. Bede's team, 14-6, last week to finish off a great season. The Crusaders ended St. Bede's first possession when Niles Wilson intercepted a pass to score a touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion run by Travis Palazzolo. In the second and third quarters, neither team managed to score, but they both made excellent plays and drove the ball up and down the field. Half way through the second quarter, a St. Bede's running back pierced through the Crusaders' defense, but was chased down and tackled by Travis Palazzolo.

Vera Rae Gehl, the mother of Msgr. James C. Gehl, pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, was peacefully called home by her God on April 6, 2005. She was 80 years old. Born in Kenosha, Wis., she was most recently a 15-year resident of Murrieta, Calif. She leaves a husband of 58 years, four children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her faith, her family and her friendships. Memorial Masses were celebrated at St. Martha's Catholic Church in Murrieta on Monday and St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church on Tuesday, Interment was at San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Amber Willard LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Few people stay in the same profession for 50 years, but Sister Kathleen McDonough will soon celebrate doing so. McDonough, who came to St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Canada Flintridge 12 years ago, will mark the milestone with a special Mass at 2 p.m. Saturday and a reception afterward. McDonough, who belongs to the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, is a pastoral associate at the church and works with senior citizens and new members.

St. Bede hosting nonviolence presentation LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- St. Bede the Venerable Church will host a discussion titled "The Spirituality of Nonviolence: A Call to Peace" on Wednesday. Judy Rinek, director of special programs at Mater Dolorosa Retreat House, will speak about her experiences with Jewish and Palestinian people in Israel during her three-month stay in Jerusalem in 2000. Eisha Mason, executive director of the Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence, will speak about practicing nonviolence with children.

LCUSD campaign kicks off LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- The Committee for Measures B & P -- the $32-million funding package proposed by the La Canada Unified School District -- will begin its campaign at 3 p.m. Saturday at La Canada High School. The committee will give a public tour of the high school, which will receive $18 million if voters pass the measures during the March 2 election. The school needs several repairs and upgrades to its 40-year-old campus.

Back in December 2006 at the inaugural meeting of the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge (ICLCF), State Assembly Member Anthony Portantino said, ?To know your neighbors, there is nothing better.? Since then, civic and religious leaders and local residents have warmly received area Muslims with neighborly friendship. One shining example of this spirit of inclusion and openness is the second annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service, a religious service for graduating seniors sponsored annually by the La Cañada Flintridge Ecumenical Ministerial Association.

Marshall Allen LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Local author Jerrilyn Farmer will share lessons learned from writing her Madeline Bean Mystery series with interested writers at La Canada Flintridge Public Library tonight. Farmer will offer would-be authors advice for how to get published and the best ways to start their novels. Farmer's best-selling culinary mysteries have earned many American mystery honors in the four years they've been published. Her latest, "Dim Sum Dead," follows the characters Maddie Bean and Wesley Westcott into the worlds of mah-jongg, mu shu and murder as they operate an event planning and catering business.

Back in December 2006 at the inaugural meeting of the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge (ICLCF), State Assembly Member Anthony Portantino said, ?To know your neighbors, there is nothing better.? Since then, civic and religious leaders and local residents have warmly received area Muslims with neighborly friendship. One shining example of this spirit of inclusion and openness is the second annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service, a religious service for graduating seniors sponsored annually by the La Cañada Flintridge Ecumenical Ministerial Association.

In a first of its kind ruling, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has handed down a decision that four people who allege sexual abuse by a former associate pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada will be allowed to seek punitive damages against the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Judge Haley J. Fomholz ruled May 23 that punitive damages can be sought against the Archdiocese for failing to protect the four from the accused predator. The case concerns Father Lynn Caffoe, 61, who has been accused of molesting children from 1975 to 1991.

The choirs of St. Bede the Venerable Parish and East Los Angeles College, with Music Director Dr. Anthony Lupica, organist Barbara Klump and the St. Bede Chamber Orchestra, will present Gabriel Fauré's Requiem at 8 p.m. on May 18 St. Bede's Parish, at 215 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada, in memory of the Rev. Lawrence Signey. A free will donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children is requested. Fr. Signey was former associate pastor of St. Bede. He became pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine in Burbank in August 2001.

April 5: HOLY THURSDAY 8 a.m. Morning prayer in the chapel 7 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight April 6: GOOD FRIDAY No Masses 8 a.m. Morning prayer in the chapel 1 p.m. Stations of the Cross 3 p.m. Celebration of the Lord's Passion 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross ...

St. Bede's Parish will celebrate a Christian Passover dinner on March 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Also known as a Seder supper, the Jewish Passover Meal originated at the time of the Jew's exodus from slavery in Egypt. It is a religious ceremonial meal that continues to be celebrated today in Jewish homes during their Passover. To help facilitate planning, registration forms are available in the Parish Center. Registration must be submitted by March 16. For more information, call the Parish Center at 949-4300 or visit www.bede.

Richard Marshall, a convert to Catholicism, will be the guest speaker at the meeting of the Italian Catholic Federation at St. Bede the Venerable Church at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21. The monthly meetings of the ICF are potluck dinners and the public is invited to attend. Meetings are held in the John XXIII room in the Parish Center. Guests are urged to bring an entrée or a dessert. Marshall, a former member of Calvary Chapel before becoming a Catholic, will talk about the history of Freemasonry from its beginnings in King Solomon's Temple to its present influence on the Catholic Church.

A celebration of the Eucharist in the traditional Filipino Simbang Gabi will be held at the St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church located at 215 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge on Monday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. The celebration is sponsored by the St. Bede Simbang Gabi Committee co-chaired by Grace Mercado Ouano and Ludi Cruz-Herrera. Simbang Gabi has been adapted from its roots in the Philippine Catholic tradition. It showcases the unique religious experience of the Filipino people that was fostered by their economic milieu.

A Catholic priest, with an unusual background, was the keynote speaker at the monthly meeting of the Italian Catholic Federation's local branch at St. Bede the Venerable church last week. Father John Neiman, a convert to Catholicism, who is currently assigned to The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angles in Los Angeles, talked to members about the Scriptural meanings behind service by lay people in the church today. The monthly pot luck dinner of the ICF was held at the Parish Center and was moderated by Federation President Tom Passanisi.

St. Bede Drama Club presents its second annual fall production this Friday, Nov. 17. The "Greatest Show On Earth," is a family-friendly variety show featuring three one-acts: The Emperor's Newest Clothes, Hannah Hears A Who and Hillbilly Daze, performed by St. Bede drama club members from 6 to 13 years of age. These St. Bede students have been learning theater basics, doing acting exercises, and developing public speaking skills while preparing for...